Cleaning Unsealed Slate Tile Floors

Stains can seep down into the pores.

Cleaning unsealed slate tile floors.

Cleaning restoring 18 year old unsealed slate floor hi when my house was built the builder used unsealed large slate tile in the foyer. Slate is porous and absorbs stains. Rinse with clean water and either let it air dry or use a soft cloth. It s pretty and stands up to abuse but over the years it has gotten very grungy.

Thus floor tiles can over time become uneven and rough in texture due to the foot traffic and other weight applied to it from furniture. Have you tried a steam mop on your slate floors. Follow the steps above for regular cleaning but once the surface is dry apply a thin layer of teak oil to the slate with a soft cloth. Slate is a durable stone but it can be porous depending on the quality.

While slate floors are attractive they benefit from regular upkeep. Wash the slate tiles as needed with either a stone cleaner or a mild detergent with a neutral ph. Teak oil is reasonably priced and available at most large. You can use a cleaning product specifically made to wash natural stone or any other cleaning solution that does not contain lemon or vinegar preferably one that is ph neutral.

Unsealed floors can become marked and scratched from loose grit or from foot traffic. Though unsealed tile floors can be cleaned with most cleaning solutions there are some precautions to take to avoid damaging the tiles or the grout between them. It s also very soft and can easily be chipped and eroded by acids and hard scrub brushes. Since unsealed slate tile can chip or stain easily it s important that you clean it using proper care and cleaning products.

When uneven pressure is applied to slate it can still split or fracture into unintended fragments or small sheets. Step 1 put your chosen cleaning solution into a spray bottle. Be sure to follow any instructions on how or where to use the product. By deep cleaning every two or three months you can keep your slate floors looking new.

Mop your slate tile floor with a gentle cleanser. Do not use cleaners that contain lemon or vinegar. Unsealed slate tile flooring can be a beautiful floor choice but it also can become damaged and show wear and tear. These ingredients can cause etching.

Ideally you should dust mop your slate floor every day and damp mop it once a week. You can clean slate floors regularly with a dust mop a broom and a damp mop.